I recently watched a YouTube documentary called Network Society, On the Brink which details the past, present, and future of human connectivity and a society linked together digitally. I am a huge documentary fan (and tech fan) to begin with so, right off the bat, this caught my eye.
This film covers what a networked society would look like with new business models, talking plants, and globalized communities. Although it mainly focuses on the last 15 years of innovation, it covers the entire journey of human connectivity from the light bulb and electricity and what possibilities their introduction to the masses gave the human race to what our world will look like and function like 10 or 20 years down the road.
I highly recommended you check it out. Not only does this film give an optimistic view of where tech, digital networking, and connectivity are headed but it packs it all into a short, 20 minute story that will entice even those who are not fond of documentary films.
Showing posts with label documentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label documentary. Show all posts
Friday, August 3, 2012
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Pixar Story
Title: The Pixar Story
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Go behind the scenes at Pixar Animation Studios with this Emmy-nominated documentary tracing the creation and history of the groundbreaking company and featuring interviews with founders Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and Steve Jobs. Assembling rare Pixar footage and conversations with animators, producers, directors and voice actors, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks takes viewers on a fascinating tour of the outfit that forever changed Hollywood animation.
What I Thought: First off, I thought I was a pretty big Steve Jobs fan but apparently I'm not. I had no idea that Mr. Jobs was one of the founders of Pixar. Anyway, back to the actual documentary... it was absolutely amazing. I had no idea how much went into creating one of these films. Pixar employs scientists... that's hardcore. Pixar definitely was no over-night-success story. This film chronicles their slow but steady rise to fame, the obstacles they overcame and how they strive to never repeat themselves from film to film. These animators, producers and directors give Pixar films 100% and that is what I'm giving this film. A must see if you are an artist, computer engineer or just a child at heart.
Rating: 
/ 5
/ 5
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Parking Lot Movie
Title: The Parking Lot Movie
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Over the course of three years, filmmaker Meghan Eckman tracked the comings and goings of a solitary parking lot in Charlottesville, VA., chronicling the lives of the attendants who where working there. This inspiring documentary is the result. Hanging tough as they navigate the range of human emotion--from hope to frustration, from a sense of limitless possibilites to stagnation--the film's subjects embody the pursuit of the American Dream.
What I Thought: This is another documentary, like The King of Kong, I was coerced into watching. I was proven wrong when I said a film about a parking lot couldn't possibly be worthwhile. I don't even know how to explain it besides saying that it is utterly amazing. This is what happens when you put a bunch of highly educated young adults in an often desolate environment and let them go wild. It will make you wish you could work as a parking attendant.
Rating: 
/ 5
/ 5Saturday, February 26, 2011
Good Copy, Bad Copy
Title: Good Copy, Bad Copy
Synopsis: "A documentary abou the current state of copyright and culture."
What I Thought: I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this film as much as I did, mainly because I was required to watch it for one of my graduate classes. This documentary is about copyright laws, peer-to-peer file sharing and other forms of digital piracy, which can be interesting or it can be incredibly boring. Thankfully, Good Copy Bad Copy took the incredibly interesting approach--a more pro-piracy stand. The central focus of this film is that creativity itself is on the line and that we need to somehow find a balance between protecting the rights of artists and the rights of future generations to create. This documentary is full of interviews and examples from "mainstream" sources such as Girl Talk, DJ Danger Mouse, and the dudes behind the Pirate Bay. There are also a few interviews featuring copyright activists, but who cares about that! The best part is, on the documentary's own website they provide you with directions on how to download the entire film off Pirate Bay.
Rating: / 5
/ 5You can watch this documentary for free at www.goodcopybadcopy.net!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The King of Kong
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: When Steve Wiebe got laid off, he turned to the classic arcade game Donkey Kong for solace; soon, he decided to challenge Billy Mitchell's long-standing record score. So began the bitter rivalry that lies at the heart of this curiously compelling documentary. Providing a history of competitive video gaming and a look at some of the key players, The King of Kong is its best when revealing just how Mitchell will go to retain his crown.
What I Thought: At first, I did not want to watch this film at all but I was coerced so I did. In the beginning I just thought it was so funny how serious these people where about video games. I thought I was in for a good laugh. As the movie went on, I became so involved and invested in Steve Wiebe's life. You will quickly turn "Team Wiebe" and start rooting for the take-down of the evil Billy Mitchell. There are surprises around every corner. The suspense will kill you. Worth watching!
Rating:
/ 5
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Objectified
Name: Objectified
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Discover how manufactured objects that surround us such as cars, phones and chair influence our daily lives with this revealing documentary, which features top industrial designers discussing their creative processes and professional objectives. Director Gary Hustwit (Helvetica) explores not only how objects get made, but also why they make us feel the way they do and how they can make our world better.
What I Thought: I may have been a little bias at first because it was directed by the same guy that did Helvetica, which I love. What I love about both documentaries is that they bring our attention to things that we would otherwise normally take for granted, whether it be fonts or something as simple as a toothbrush. Objectified takes you through the process of creating an object from conception to production and covers all the art and ingenuity along the way. It talks a lot about simplistic products, like those sold by Apple and Ikea, which I am drawn towards. After watching Helvetica you find yourself examining every font and logo you see and after watching Objectified you'll be examining every toaster and every door handle. Objectified just really makes you think about the objects you choose to surround yourself with and what they say about you to other people.
Rating: / 5
/ 5Thursday, January 6, 2011
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Name: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta's footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash--and, much to Banksy's surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.
What I Thought: Going into the documentary I had expected it to be about Banksy. I should have known better. If there was a movie about Banksy and people got a real inside look at what he does, he would no longer be the appealing enigma that he has become. Once I figured this out and was introduced to Thierry, the film became a whole lot less appealing. Thierry is slightly interesting--but more annoying than anything else. The entire documentary follows the train wreck that is Thierry's life. It goes from family man, to obsessive compulsive "filmmaker", to stalker, to failed filmmaker, then it ends with Thierry "art show." I found it funny how everyone talks fondly about Thierry in the beginning then by the end they all hate him. This is not a documentary on street art, rather it's about a man blinded by fame and the evolution of his relationships. Oh, and there's some pretty good footage of the street art that is amazing.
Rating: / 5
/ 5Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Between the Folds
Title: Between the Folds
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Filmmaker Vanessa Gould takes you on a provocative odyssey into the mesmerizing world of modern origami, where artists and scientists use the ancient art form to craft works of delicate beauty and to model cutting-edge mathematical theories. Pushing the envelope of origami to include caricatured portraits and elaborate abstract designs, these experts examine how paper folding can reveal the profound connection between art, science and philosophy.
What I Thought: Incredible. I saw things in this movie that I would have never imagined possible. Origami is created by just folding paper--no cutting, no taping, no gluing. No addition. No subtraction. Just folding. There are two sides taken in this documentary: those who believe in an organic way of folding and those to believe in strict techniques. Some believe that no two pieces should ever look the same and that there is no pattern. How the paper is folded should be inspired by the moment. Others take mathematical approaches to folding. Scientists, mathematicians, biologists, engineers. There are even students at MIT studying folding and the capacity of a piece of paper. I still just can't even get over this film. I figured it would just cover the history and its importance in Asian cultures but it's so much more than that.
One of the paper folders featured created the music video for The Format's The Compromise.
Rating:
/ 5
Welcome to Macintosh
Title: Welcome to Macintosh: The Documentary for the Rest of Us
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Written and directed by filmmakers Robert Baca and Josh Rizzo, this entertaining documentary delves into the world of Apple Inc., the groundbreaking company responsible for, among other things, the iMac, the iPod and the iPhone. With interviews from a variety of industry insiders, Baca and Rizzo chronicle the history of the Steve Jobs/Steve Wozniak-founded corporation and track the meteoric growth of the Mac phenomenon.
What I Thought: As a Mac fangirl with a new obsession with watching documentaries, I was really excited to watch my first Apple documentary but I was really let down. The film completely falls short of what I had expected. All the interviews were with people who don't matter (as far as I'm concerned)--no Jobs, no Wozniak--however, they did interview the original 3rd co-founder. Everything was really repetitive and annoying. Although this was made in 2008, all the stories told date back to the 80s. All recent news and relevant stories are ignored. To be honest, I didn't even finish watching it in its entirety.
Rating:
/ 5
Art & Copy
Title: Art & Copy
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Explore the fascinating and sometimes mysterious world of advertising with this compelling documentary from filmmaker Doug Pray that features a host of interviews with some of the biggest names in the business. Meet the talented minds who created taglines forever embedded in the American psyche, including "Just Do It," "Where's the Beef?" and "Got Milk?" Hal Riney, Ed Rollins and many others share their insights.
What I Thought: As an advertising grad I was so happy to find a documentary about advertising that didn't make it out to be this evil conspiracy. Advertising was portrayed in such a positive light that it, once again, makes me proud to be a part of the industry. It highlights all the creativity and hard work that goes into simple slogans like "Got Milk." I also found it interesting to see the progression and evolution of different campaigns over the years. I wish this movie would have been shown in some of my advertising classes.
Rating: ***** / 5
Monday, January 3, 2011
The September Issue
Title: The September Issue
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Director R.J. Cutler's documentary offers a rare look inside Vogue as the fashion magazine's influential editor, Anna Wintour, and creative director, Grace Coddington, produce the highly anticipated September issue. Cutler captures the demanding creative process in action for nine months, following perfectionist Wintour and stylist Coddington as they attend fashion week in Europe, endless photo shoots and intense staff meetings.
What I Thought: Definitely not "the real Devil Wears Prada." Anna wasn't half as cut throat as I had expected, unless she was keeping it all in so she didn't look as ruthless as Miranda Priestly. There were times when Anna would walk all over Grace... but maybe Grace just needs to stand up for herself--she's an amazing creative director. What I liked is how they show that Anna starts nearly every trend and she collaborates with department stores and designers to get her vision of the next big thing across. It's interesting to see where and how trends start. Everything we wear and everything we like is probably because of Anna.
Rating: / 5
/ 5Thursday, December 23, 2010
What Would Jesus Buy?
Title: What Would Jesus Buy?
Type: documentary
Netflix Synopsis: Taking on rampant American consumerism with a focus on Christmas shopping, the Rev. Billy (Bill Talen) and the Church of Stop Shopping go on a cross-country journey to save citizens from the Shopocalypse in this hilarious documentary produced by Morgan Spurlock. Reminding shoppers of the true meaning of Christmas, Reverend Billy exorcises demons at Wal-Mart's headquarters and preaches his message at the Mall of America and Disneyland.
What I Thought: First off, this man is a nutter. Completely insane. However, he is quite the entertainer. I completely disagreed with everything he said and did and yet I could take my eyes off the screen. Rev. Billy sings and dances and preaches to get his message across to shoppers and all I could think was that I wish he was around my town on Black Friday. I would have welcomed his entertainment while I waited hours in line in the freezing cold. As for the Church of Stop Shopping, I'm convinced that all those people were just along for the ride so they could have a good laugh at Billy's expense. Although it is listed as a social, cultural, and political documentary, I watched it as a comedy.
Rating: / 5
/ 5
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